'X Factor': Judges Gary, Louis, Nicole & Sharon Reveal Groups Are Strongest Category So Far This Year

X FACTOR: Which Category Are The Judges Fighting To Mentor?

The 'X Factor' judges have revealed which category they think has proved to be the best so far during the filming of this year's series.

Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne revealed it is the groups who have impressed most after the return of the old intimate 'room' auditions, despite previous reports the show was 'desperate' for bands after a low turnout.

Head Judge Gary teased that many of the bands offer "something different" to those previously seen on the show before - including One Direction, JLS and Little Mix.

Speaking to HuffPost UK at the first round of the new arena auditions at Wembley on Monday, he said: "It's an interesting one because I don't think in the past the groups have been strong in the auditions and we've got a really good bunch of people this year. The good groups are something different."

Adding that she would still like to mentor the girls category, Nicole said that there are a lot of mixed sex groups this year.

"I usually always want the girls, honestly because I connect with them on a personal level. But the groups are looking pretty strong this year," she said.

"There's a lot of boy/girl groups that we're not used to seeing."

Sharon added: "There's so much talent in every category, so nobody's going to get a dud category this year at all."

Close

What's Hot